Old Alabama football Mr. Irrelevant's advice to Jaylen Key: embrace the moment | Goodbread

Two weeks ago, former Alabama football cornerback Ramzee Robinson was inducted into the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame along with ex-Crimson Tide running back Ken Darby and 10 others. Robinson, who was the 2007 Mr. Irrelevant as the final player chosen in the 2007 NFL draft, had the perfect way to loosen the banquet crowd assembled at the Von Braun Center. He was the last inductee to speak.

"Here I am, going last again," he said.

The crowd roared.

On his plaque was etched "Mr. Irrelevant."

"That's my world," he said. "I can't get away from it."

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Eighteen years after the Detroit Lions closed the '07 draft by selecting Robinson at No. 255 overall, Robinson remains the first Alabama player ever picked last in the draft, but he's no longer the last. Crimson Tide safety Jaylen Key was chosen last at No. 257 overall by the New York Jets on Saturday. He'll get the same treatment Robinson got 17 years ago, complete with a parade held at Disneyland in Orange County, Cal., and a full week of community events and parties in his honor. Robinson received a bevy of gifts he mostly gave away to family — a watch, a Nintendo Wii, grilling equipment, and a package of free gear, among others — but they were given to him garage-sale style. While good fun and humor is the underpinning of Mr. Irrelevant's week of glory — Robinson remembers receiving the "Lowsman Trophy," (a nod to the Heisman, but with a figurine that's fumbling a football) — he also recalls getting treated like royalty in a genuine, supportive way.

"I took my uncle from Huntsville, who'd never even been on a plane before, and he got treated like a superstar, too," Robinson said. "It's like starting off with your own personal fan base. It's a community of supporters that want to see you do well."

Robinson's advice to Key?

"Embrace it. It's an honor to be drafted, first and foremost. He's one of the top tier players within the 2024 draft, period. He got drafted because he's one of the best," said Robinson, who is now the Director of Player Engagement with the Kansas City Chiefs. "Embrace the moment and the experience and the people, because they're excited to meet him, host him and support him going forward. Don't drink too much, stay sober young man, you've got camp coming up. But enjoy the moment."

If that advice resulted in a repeat of Robinson's success in the game, Key should listen to every word.

He played in the NFL from 2007-2009, making a career-high 25 tackles for the Lions in 2008. In his last NFL season, with the Philadelphia Eagles, he got to know head coach Andy Reid. A few years later, Robinson had added work experience in the private sector and a certification for professional player development to his business administration degree from Alabama and experience as an NFL player. All that added up to make him the ideal candidate to be Reid's Director of Player Engagement with the Kansas City Chiefs. Former Alabama offensive lineman B.J. Stabler, who worked with the Chiefs at the time, showed him the do's and don'ts of NFL administrative work.

Nine years later, at 40, Mr. Irrelevant has three Super Bowl rings.

While Robinson is taking the Mr. Irrelevant name to great heights post-career, the 2022 Mr. Irrelevant − San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy — has made it proud in-career. Purdy took the 49ers to the Super Bowl three months ago. Against Robinson's Chiefs, of course.

"I root for Mr. Irrelevants, but I couldn't root for Brock against us, of course," Robinson said.

Chiefs 25, 49ers 22 — for now, Robinson is hogging the Super Bowl rings in the Mr. Irrelevant club.

But for Key, he's sharing the wisdom.

Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @chasegoodbread.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Advice from an old Alabama football Mr. Irrelevant to Jaylen Key